Stories from Thursday, October 12, 2023

SCHUYLER, Neb. — The final of three members of a family has been sentenced for voting in Colfax County while living in Platte County during the 2020 general election. Wednesday, Larry Divis was fined $10,000 and sentenced by Judge Christina M. Marroquin following his conviction by a jury for Election Falsification, a Class IV Felony. The conviction stems from a two-day jury trial in August, held in Colfax County District Court...

LINCOLN, Neb. — The McCook YMCA will receive $5 million as part of $70 million from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act program. The Shovel-Ready program was approved for additional funding from the State General Fund during the 2023 Legislative Session and signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen. ...

Sam Clemmens once wrote, “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” I don’t know that I would have dragged God into the discussion, but I am inclined to agree. I think we can all name a few Pacific Islands that we would never have known about were it not for WWII, and I’m no exception. The study of history is inseparable from the study of geography, and history is too often defined in terms of war...

LINCOLN, Neb. – At the direction of Gov. Jim Pillen, the Nebraska Capitol will be illuminated in blue light starting tonight, as a symbol of solidarity with the people of Israel. The color is representative of Israel’s flag, which is blue and white. The Capitol will remain blue through the evening of Thursday, Oct. 19...

Can you imagine the following scenario? You are cleaning your house, slowly making your way from room to room, when you stumble upon a stack of photographs, an album of pictures or your old high school yearbooks. Yes, that is a nod to everyone back the next two weekends for McCook High School reunions over Heritage Days and McCook Community College homecoming the following weekend. Welcome back!...

McCOOK, Neb. - The 2023 Heritage Days Honor Family, Pam and Greg Wolford, are considered pillars of the community. Pam, a retired McCook High School teacher, is involved in the City of McCook Library Board, Youth Change Reaction, PEO, McCook Community Foundation Fund, and Bison Days committee. She continues to be dedicated to education, offering her services as a tutor...

McCOOK, Neb. – Predicting that ArtBank McCook would become a “destination space”, Chad Graff welcomed members of McCook Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting Tuesday morning. Graff is expecting artists and leaders in the art world to arrive this weekend from Chicago, New York, Omaha, and other places to help celebrate the opening of the non-profit art gallery in McCook...

Latest league results from TJ’s Family Fun Center in McCook where Chris Vontz and Tony Rice were among the bowlers really on a rollthis week. Yet just like his Chiefs, Jerron Ruzicka continues boasting the league’s high average. Men’s Major Diamond Vogel 140-70...

While we’re on the subject of Sen. George W. Norris, it’s appropriate to recognize his other contribution, besides the nonpartisan Unicameral Legislature, to Nebraska’s quality of life: public power. It’s an appropriate topic for Heritage Days, and it’s also an appropriate topic for October’s National Public Power Month...

Ronald L. Howerter April 21, 1938 - Oct. 10, 2023 ELM CREEK, Neb. - Ronald L. Howerter, 85 of Elm Creek passed away Tues., Oct. 10, 2023 at Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Sat., Oct. 14, 2023 at the Elm Creek First Chirstian Church. Inurnment will follow at Elm Creek Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Elm Creek American Legion in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps. Honors Team...

PERU, Neb. - Alyse Foster, an Indianola, Neb. native, was crowned Queen during Peru State College’s Homecoming on Sept. 30, 2023. The student body chose the 2023 Homecoming Court, whose members were recognized and featured in the annual homecoming parade and halftime ceremony of the football game between Peru State and Missouri Valley College. The title of 2023 Peru State Homecoming King and Queen was awarded to Devin Adams of Pembroke Pines, Fla., and Alyse Foster of Indianola, Neb...

LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraska Association of School Boards Director John Spatz presents a Level IX award to Sandy Noffsinger and a Level VII award Kent Lorens, both of Dundy County-Stratton, for their dedication to the role of school board members. NASB is a private, nonprofit organization that serves the needs of board members in Nebraska public school districts and Educational Service Units. ...

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Both the McCook seventh-grade “A” and “B” volleyball teams beat North Platte on Tuesday to finish 8-0 seasons. Both teams also lost just one set all season, coach David Peterman reported. The Bison “A” won 25-5 then a 26-24 thriller on Tuesday vs. N.P...

OGALLALA, Neb. — Coach Tom Sughroue admitted the usual love-hate relatonship returned surrounding Wednesday’s C-5 district cross country race. While he was thrilled junior Josiah Wilkinson qualified in 11th place, others narrowly missed like senior Grant Cappel (18th/17:46.61)...

BROKEN BOW, Neb. — McCook High’s volleyball team ran into a tough Broken Bow foe but rebounded for a three-set win over Ainsworth during this varsity triangular Tuesday evening. The Bison (8-19 record overall) scored their second win in four matches after spltting with Hershey and Gothenburg last week...

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook coach Joe Vetrovsky provided these insights as 7-0 Adams Central meets the 3-4 McCook Bison at Weiland Field Friday night. “Adams Central is having a nice season. They are a well-coached and disciplined team. Offensively they are led by Jayden Teichmeier at quarterback and Nick Conant at tailback. Both of these players are athletic and have explosive play capabilities. Their offensive line does a good job up front and so this will be a great challenge for our defense...